Obstetric Violence as Gender Based Violence: What It Is, How It Is Perceived, and How It Can Be Addressed

Obstetric violence refers to abusive behaviors by healthcare staff towards women during childbirth, including the pre-birth and post-birth phases. Although it falls under gender-based violence, it is still widely overlooked and underexplored in bioethical, legal, and sociological literature. However, an international debate is growing, involving physicians, patients, lawyers, and institutions. This volume addresses various aspects of obstetric violence, examining international and national debates, particularly in Europe and Latin America, where significant legislative reforms emerged. Birthing cultures and organizational models of childbirth care are key factors. The research hypothesis links obstetric violence to models of motherhood. It also includes the viewpoints of potential perpetrators. This involves examining midwives’ working conditions, deontology, and culture as factors in obstetric violence, on the basis of empirical research. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the volume brings together bioethics, sociology, law, philosophy, and anthropology. It appeals to specialists and the general public, contributing to the growing international debate and serving as educational material for medical staff and lawyers.

Lucia Re, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Irene Strazzeri, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Sara Fariello, Univeristy of La Campania Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.